Industry unites against the silent killer

Supported by the Carbon Monoxide All Fuels Action Forum, the one-day event aimed to tackle issues surrounding the fight against the ‘silent killer’.

In an effort to prevent unnecessary deaths and injuries from accidental carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, a vast number of organisations and industry representatives – including those from the medical profession, fire paramedics, local authority representatives, charities and fire service workers – came together to promote innovation, sharing of best practice and development of new partnerships.

This event followed the publication of a report by the All Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group – ‘Preventing carbon monoxide poisoning’. The report made 17 recommendations to industry and government for addressing the risk of CO in the UK.

The day was filled with talks from figures across the gas, medical and regulation industries, reminding delegates of the consequences of CO poisoning through moving case studies of lives snatched by the gas, and how they have campaigned to prevent such tragedies.

Barry Sheerman MP, a leading campaigner on the matter of public safety, spoke of effective campaigns he has undertaken, including how developing partnerships across industries will be key in the fight against CO.

“The important thing now is to keep the momentum. Keep campaigning, keep the partnerships and keep going,” Sheerman said.

Already, nearly 90% of the delegates have called for this event to become an annual conference and have expressed their interest to be involved in its outputs.